Sweet Cherub

This is what happens when I ignore the laundry. How could I resist the urge to capture these totally edible cheeks? I'm powerless, completely powerless.

Transition

I have found that the most difficult part of Seth traveling so much in the last 7 years is not necessarily his absence (although there have been times when the loneliness was almost unbearable) nor is it the lack of his partnership (although there have been times where I have just wanted to cry because the kids were driving me absolutely insane). It's the transition. The 3 days to a week where we get used to "normal" again. I would describe myself as a "work well under pressure" type of girl. When Seth is gone, I implement a system that works well for everyone. The kids get fed, bathed, clothed, and even have some fun time in this system. The preservation of my sanity lies in the function of my well-oiled machine. These last 2 weeks were no exception. It felt like a test for me. How would I manage 3 children all by myself? For 14 whole days?? It actually worked better than I thought it would. All 3 children were in bed by 9:30pm. Lyla started sleeping through the nights. The house stayed relatively clean (okay, maybe I was a little obsessive on this one) and I even got a hot shower every day. It may not have been until 10:00 at night but it was done. The wonderful bonus? Generous friends who took the kids twice for a few hours so I could have some time by myself. Thank you Dan and Misty!!
Seth is home now which is so awesome I can't even describe. Yet there is the struggle of transition. Part of me wants to stay in control because my system worked. The other part of me wants to not do anything because I have done everything for so long. I know that in the middle lies peace.
Meanwhile, he has 3 kids who absolutely adore him. I'm pretty sure I do too! I can't imagine walking this journey with anyone else. Oh and did I mention that this last 2 week trip was the last one?? I guess I'm just going to have to figure out the transition of Seth working out of the house to Seth working from our house. More on that later...

I will now leave you with these cute photos of brother and sister.

Seriously, how can they both be smiling the same adorable smile at the same time??

Secrets. I hope good ones.

We Used to Call 65 Degrees "Cold".

So today our weather got up to 65 degrees. In Northern world, that means that you go outside and try to stay outside as long as possible because you know that it could change the very next day. Which it will, trust me. To celebrate the "warm" weather, I took the kids (so strange that I can no longer say "boys" to describe my brood) for a picnic lunch at a nearby playground. Great photo-op, don't ya think?

I hope these 2 are friends for life. I have a strong suspicion that it's gonna be that way.

This boy LOVES the swings.

Apparently sliding is very serious business.

The "What?!" look.

Matchbox cars go really fast down slides. Did you know that?

Not quite old enough to enjoy the playground at its fullest.

Grownup teeth completely change a child's face.

Lyla got to play on her playground.

Just looks like winter, doesn't it?

Grandparents

I love my mom and dad. I love it when we get to see each other. This Christmas, they flew out to spend a week with us. They met Lyla for the first time (and did not put her down for 8 days straight) and bonded with the boys even more. The boys hate it when Nana and Grandad have to go home. Here are my very favorite pictures of them with their babies, their joy...

I love the look on their faces. My dad reminds me of those old Native American photos where you wonder what wise thoughts are behind their eyes.

This happened A LOT while Nana and Grandad were here. The house was completely filled with laughter the whole week! Laughter and wrestling.

Good Morning

I'll just let the photos do the talkin'.

Who Needs Sleeping Pills?

If You're Going Out in the Cold...

You might as well be cute.

Do you like the look on Josiah's face? I'm told this is a "Middle Child" look. I would not know this because it was just my brother and me.

Here's a close-up for ya. Good thing he's so cute 'cause I just might have to hang him from his toes.

This kid is growing up WAY too fast! He's unbelievably tall. My Gentle Giant.

A girl's gotta have a cute pair of boots!

El Ninos

I'm on a roll here so bear with me...

How Tempting is This??

Australia offers 'best job in world' on paradise island

SYDNEY (AFP) – An Australian state is offering internationally what it calls "the best job in the world" -- earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.

The job pays 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government announced on Tuesday.

In return, the "island caretaker" will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of "a few minor tasks" -- and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The successful applicant, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

"They'll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they're doing so they can't be too shy and they'll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors," said acting state Premier Paul Lucas.

It's currently 12 degrees here in Kansas City, Missouri. How 'bout that?

2 Months

I have had plans for days now to sit down and write a proper blog. About the holidays and family. As you will soon see, that's just not going to happen. With Seth gone, I am forced to schedule things like showers, dishes, laundry, kids' baths, making meals....you get the picture. Blogging has fallen way down the list. I will, however, give you a short update on my sweet baby girl. First of all, she is absolutely amazing. Lyla is going to soon realize that she has a whole houseful of people who are head-over-heals in love with her. She opens her eyes and immediately has 2 brothers (aaand 2 parents) in her face to get her to smile and talk back. Something she is very willing to do these days. She is sleeping. Halelujah she is sleeping. I'm only going to say this once because I have friends who hate me for this very thing. My kids are what you call "good sleepers". It must be a genetic thing because Lord knows that Seth and I love to sleep. I was a little nervous that I had hit the lotto with the boys and would pay for it later with any other children. Something that may happen. But not with Lyla. The girl loves her sleep.
Here are a few pictures of our little Cupcake, Ladybug, Chicaberry, etcetera etcetera etcetera.

It's like she knows something we don't.

This awesome playmat has now been spit-up on by 3 children. It has done its job well.

Girl going out on the town. Mexican food and Costco. Oh yeah.

Talking to her little buddies. What does a panda bear, lamb, and 2 month old have to chat about? Who knows??

She's just plain cute. Says the unbiased mother.